JP2016063953A - Gaming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease a difference in winning probabilities of dividends among gaming machines even when probabilities of offering the dividends are different among the respective gaming machines.SOLUTION: The gaming machine comprises a server A4 including a connection part A 41 to which a plurality of first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 are connected, and a storage part A44 in which a special dividend as a common dividend are stored, the special dividend being able to be acquired in the plurality of first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3. Each of the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 executes processing of: determining symbols by symbol lottery having a different symbol lottery probability; offering the special dividend on the basis of a symbol to be relocated by the symbol lottery; and offering the special dividends by a second lottery for drawing the lottery at a prescribed probability different from that of the symbol lottery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system including a gaming machine that is rearranged after a symbol change display.

  Conventionally, for example, Patent Literature 1 is disclosed as a gaming system. A plurality of such gaming systems are connected so that data communication is possible. For example, in each gaming machine connected so that data communication is possible, a lottery for determining whether or not to give a progressive bonus is individually selected. To be determined.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,114

  By the way, in the conventional configuration, when the lottery for granting the progressive bonus is determined by the result of rearranging the symbol reel group in each of the gaming machines used in the base game, the winning probability of the progressive bonus is determined. When trying to achieve the same winning probability among all the gaming machines connected so that data communication is possible, the same gaming machine is connected, or the symbols displayed on the symbol reel group are different, but the characteristics themselves are We had to connect with the same clone gaming machine.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system capable of reducing the difference in the winning probability of a payout between gaming machines even when the probability of giving a payout is different among the respective gaming machines. .

  The present invention is a gaming system including a server having a connection unit to which a plurality of gaming machines are connected and a storage unit in which a special payout that is a common payout that can be obtained by the plurality of gaming machines is stored. The plurality of gaming machines include: a symbol display device that displays a game result by rearranging a plurality of symbols after variably displaying; and a control unit that executes the following processing: (A) the symbols A process of determining the plurality of symbols to be rearranged on the display device by a symbol lottery having different symbol lottery probabilities for each gaming machine, and (B) a special payout based on the symbols rearranged by the symbol lottery (C) in the second lottery in which the lottery is performed with a predetermined probability different from the symbol lottery in the processing (A) The process of applying the special dividend me.

  According to the above configuration, even if the probability of giving a special payout is different for each gaming machine due to different lottery probabilities of symbol lottery, the difference in the winning probability of special payout is reduced by the second lottery, As a result, it is possible to set the same probability.

  In the present invention, the gaming machine has an input device that accepts a bet operation to output a bet amount for playing a game, the server receives a bet amount from the plurality of gaming machines, A display unit that includes a calculation unit that calculates the special payout based on a bet amount, and that displays the special payout calculated by the calculation unit.

  According to the above configuration, since the special payout is calculated and displayed on the server side, the processing load of each gaming machine is reduced.

Furthermore, the control unit
A process of rearranging the plurality of symbols on the symbol display device in a symbol display mode corresponding to the special payout determined in the process of (C).

  According to this configuration, both the result executed in the second lottery and the result in the symbol lottery can be displayed on the symbol display device by rearranging the symbols, so that another special display device is provided. It becomes unnecessary and the number of parts can be reduced and control becomes easy.

  In addition, a gaming machine having another control unit that determines and gives the special payout by symbol lottery is further connected to the connection unit.

  According to the present invention, for example, it is easier to adjust the winning probability of the second lottery by providing a design stage or a winning probability adjusting unit than adjusting the winning probability of the symbol lottery. The symbol lottery makes it easy to connect a gaming machine provided with another control unit that gives the special payout, and as a result, more types of gaming machines having different characteristics are connected to the connecting unit on a large scale. It becomes easy to construct a gaming system.

  The gaming system includes a storage unit that collects a portion of each bet in the gaming machine connected to the connection unit at the same rate, and stores the collected cumulative data as cumulative storage data. A payout is awarded based on the accumulated storage data of the storage unit.

  When the above configuration is applied to the present invention, the special payout is not made fair between the gaming machines from which the special payout is collected by using the accumulated storage data obtained by collecting a part of the bet at the same rate and accumulating it. It is easy to give the special payout to.

  The control unit in the gaming system further includes (D) a process of executing a high-probability game in which the special payout is won with a high probability in accordance with the result of the symbol lottery, and thereafter performing the second lottery. .

  According to the present invention, the winning probability for obtaining the special payout is increased step by step, and further, the special payout is won by the second lottery after the high-probability game is completed, so the expectation of the special payout is increased step by step. be able to.

  The present invention can reduce the difference in the winning probability of the payout between the gaming machines even when the probability of giving the payout is different among the respective gaming machines.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation state of the gaming system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display state of a display part. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating operations of the server and the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a progressive jackpot value and a level. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing flow of the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing of the payout of a progressive match. It is explanatory drawing of the winning probability regarding progressive. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing flow of the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing of the payout of a progressive match. It is explanatory drawing of the winning probability regarding progressive. It is explanatory drawing of a progressive outline | summary. It is explanatory drawing of a progressive outline | summary. It is explanatory drawing of a progressive outline | summary. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional flow of the gaming system. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slot machine in the gaming machine. FIG. 3 is an electric block diagram of the gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the process of the game program performed with main CPU of a motherboard. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a payline definition table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol determination table used in normal game mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the symbol determination table used in free game mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a payout table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a payout table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a mystery lottery table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rearrangement aspect table of a jackpot symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rearrangement aspect table of a jackpot symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rearrangement aspect table of a jackpot symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rearrangement aspect table of a jackpot symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rearrangement aspect table of a jackpot symbol. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating state transitions in the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of a main control process of the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of coin insertion / start check processing of the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of symbol lottery processing of the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of an effect content determination execution process of the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of a symbol display control process of the gaming machine. 10 is a flowchart of a gaming machine payout amount determination process. FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a flowchart of free game mode processing of the gaming machine. 12 is a flowchart of a Kind number determination process of the gaming machine. 10 is a flowchart of a mystery lottery of a gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the production process of a mystery lottery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the production process of a mystery lottery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the production process of a mystery lottery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect process of a mystery winning process.

(Gaming system: Overview)
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system of the present invention is connected to a plurality of first and third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 and these gaming machines A1, A2, and A3, and the special payout As a server A4 that centrally manages the amount of jackpot. The server A4 is a storage unit that accumulates a portion of credits bet at the connection rate A41 to which a plurality of gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 are connected and the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 at the same rate. As a storage unit A44. The storage unit A44 stores a credit amount as a resource for providing a linked progressive jackpot as the special payout which is a common payout that can be obtained by a plurality of gaming machines A1, A2, and A3. The special payout is not limited to the linked progressive jackpot.

  In this gaming system, a part of the credits bet in the storage unit of the server A4 is stored as accumulated storage data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, any of the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3. One of them may be set as a host and the other as a client, and the accumulated storage data may be stored in the storage unit of any one of the gaming machines. However, as in the present invention, a linked progressive jack is used. If the management of pot resources is executed by the server A4 different from the gaming machine, the risk of reducing the processing capability of the gaming machine as a host can be reduced. Such an advantage is that a relatively small number of three gaming machines are not connected by the connection portion A41 as in this embodiment, but all of hundreds of gaming machines and gaming machines installed in all casinos are used. Are connected at the connection part A41, and a larger advantage is obtained when a design is made so that a linked progressive jackpot can be obtained on a large scale.

  Each of the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 has a function of determining a prize by symbol lottery, but the gaming characteristics of each symbol lottery are different. Here, the difference in “gaming characteristics” means that, for example, a trigger for generating a linked progressive jackpot award as a special payout is determined by a certain symbol (in the case of the present embodiment) determined by each gaming machine. , Jackpot symbol) (6 or more in the case of this embodiment), the probability of winning a special payout by symbol lottery varies depending on the symbol arrangement of reels in each gaming machine. That is. In the present invention, in this symbol lottery, a lottery different from the symbol lottery is executed between a plurality of types of gaming machines having different characteristics of the special dividend winning probability, thereby making the special dividend winning probability uniform. The gist is to do.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 execute the lottery according to the symbol lottery function, that is, the input of the spin button 602, which will be described later, and the symbols are placed on a plurality of reels. After the change display, the winning of the linked progressive jackpot is determined based on the symbol rearrangement mode when the reels are stopped at the reel stop positions determined by the lottery and the symbols on the reels are rearranged. .

  Further, when a lottery corresponding to the second lottery of the present invention is executed at a predetermined lottery timing as will be described later, and a winning of a linked progressive jackpot is won based on the lottery result, the symbol rearrangement mode corresponding thereto Thus, a function of changing and stopping the reels in a plurality of rows where the symbols are arranged is provided. In the present embodiment, the “predetermined lottery timing” is a chance game that is triggered by the rearrangement of bonus symbols in the base game (the winning probability of the special payout of the present invention is higher than that of the base game). Although the description will be made using the timing at which the state game is finished, the present invention is not limited to this.

  That is, the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 win the linked progressive jackpot prize in both the symbol lottery and the second lottery. However, in the case of winning a linked progressive jackpot award in the symbol lottery and in the case of winning a linked progressive jackpot award in the second lottery, the symbol displayed on the symbol display device is the winning symbol of the award. Since the rearrangement mode is the same mode (6 or more jackpot symbols), from the player's point of view, whether the winning prize for linked progressive jackpot is obtained by symbol lottery or second It cannot be judged whether it was obtained by lottery.

  Further, the third gaming machine A3 has a function of determining a prize only by symbol lottery. In this gaming machine A3, when it is determined that a symbol rearrangement mode is achieved in which a predetermined number or more of jackpot symbols are rearranged, a prize of a linked progressive jackpot is awarded.

  In the present gaming system, the winning probability of the special payout as the prize in the second lottery is set at the design stage to the probability that the above-described symbol lottery makes the gaming machines having different characteristics uniform. However, the probability adjustment unit (not shown) capable of adjusting the winning probability of the second lottery is provided in the gaming machine having the second lottery function without being limited to the configuration in which the probability is adjusted in the design stage as described above. The operator may be configured to adjust the probability appropriately by operating the operation switch connected to the adjustment unit.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, a reel band on which a plurality of types of symbols are printed is provided in an annular shape on each of the outer circumferences of the plurality of reels, and these plurality of reel bands are provided on a display window 150 of a symbol display device described later. When there are a predetermined number (for example, six) or more jackpot symbols that give a special payout to a plurality of symbols that are displayed in a visible manner and rearranged at positions that are visible from the display window 150. A special payout is awarded, but prizes other than the winning combination are also generated. That is, even when a winning combination including symbols other than jackpot symbols is rearranged in the display window 150, a payout is awarded. When the present invention is applied to such an embodiment, the arrangement of jackpot symbols and other symbols for giving a special payout is different between the first gaming machine A1 and the second gaming machine A2. Therefore, not only the probability of occurrence of a winning combination of jackpot symbols for giving a special payout, but also the probability of occurrence of a winning combination other than the special payout is different from the viewpoint of symbol lottery. However, in the present invention, the linked progressive jackpot which is a special payout is configured to have a uniform probability between the first and second gaming machines (between A1 and A2) in the second lottery. The award generation probability of the winning combination is different from the first and second gaming machines because of the different symbol types and arrangements. One of the reasons is that, unlike the special payout, the funds for awarding the prizes that make up the other winning combinations are not paid based on the data stored in the storage unit and part of the bets. The same rate as one of the problems of the present invention is an individual one that has no correlation with other gaming machines in which payout occurs based on the stored payout tables of the gaming machines A1 and A2. This is because there is no problem that the credits collected and collected in the storage unit and jointly accumulated for the special payout are given with an unfair probability. As another reason, in the gaming system of the present embodiment, in the base game in which the symbol lottery is executed, different games are executed depending on the characteristics of the symbol lottery for each gaming machine linked at the connection unit. However, with regard to special payouts that are awarded by using a configuration linked at the connection part, unfairness among all gaming machines is corrected in the second lottery and given with a uniform probability. This is because it is meaningful to provide a new gaming system that can be configured as described above.

  In the lottery system adopting the second lottery, the symbol arrangement of the reels and the weight for each symbol described later do not affect the lottery for giving a prize, compared to the symbol lottery. If a certain prize is won, it is possible to execute control to stop in a predetermined symbol rearrangement mode corresponding to the winning prize, and as a result, the winning probability can be easily adjusted.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the lottery probability of the special payout in the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 is made to coincide with the lottery probability of the special payout in the third gaming machine A3. It is not limited, and all the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 may be configured to set a predetermined lottery probability. Note that the first and second gaming machines correspond to gaming machines including a control unit that gives the linked progressive jackpot in the second lottery and symbol lottery of the present invention, and the third gaming machine A3 is the second gaming machine. The lottery for obtaining all the special payouts in the base game (including the base game and the chance game described later) is executed by the symbol lottery without executing the lottery, and the symbol stop position of the reel determined by this lottery The gaming machine determines whether or not to give the special payout based on the symbol rearrangement mode in which the symbols are rearranged by stop control. In this case, after the symbol rearrangement position is determined, it is determined whether or not to give the linked progressive jackpot prize. On the other hand, in the gaming machine of the control unit that executes the second lottery, whether or not to give the linked progressive jackpot is determined directly before the symbol rearrangement mode is determined as a result of the second lottery. Will be decided.

  The first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 have symbol display devices A12, A22, and A32 that display a game result by rearranging a plurality of symbols after the variable display. The symbol display devices A12, A22, and A32 may include a mechanical reel that rotates a reel by a mechanical operation, or may include a video reel that rotates a reel image by a moving image. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is more suitable when applied to a mechanical reel gaming machine in which it is difficult to match the symbol characteristics described above.

  The first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 have control units A11, A21, and A31. The control units A11, A21, and A31 are programmed to execute the following processes A111 to A114, A211 to A214, A311, and A312. The processes A111, A211, and A311 are a process of determining a plurality of symbols to be rearranged in the symbol display devices A12, A22, and A32 by symbol lottery with different symbol lottery probabilities for the respective gaming machines A1, A2, and A3. Processes A112, A212, and A312 are processes for giving a special payout based on symbols rearranged by symbol lottery.

  Furthermore, the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 are programmed to execute the processes A113 and A213 and the processes A114 and A214. Processes A113 and A213 are processes for performing a second lottery in which a lottery is performed with a predetermined probability different from the symbol lottery of processes A111, A211 and A311. Processes A114 and A214 are based on the lottery result of the second lottery. It is a process to give.

  As described above, the lottery probability in the second lottery is set to a value that matches the lottery probability of the special payout in the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 with the lottery probability of the third gaming machine A3. In the present embodiment, the mystery lottery performed after the chance game consisting of one free game (in which the probability of winning a special dividend according to the present invention is higher than that of the normal game) corresponds to the second lottery, By winning the mystery lottery (second lottery), a linked progressive jackpot (a special payout of the present invention) is awarded as a prize.

  Further, the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 have input devices A13, A23, and A33 that receive a bet operation in order to output a bet amount for playing a game. The server A4 further includes a calculation unit A43. The calculation unit A43 receives bet amounts from the plurality of gaming machines A1, A2, and A3, and calculates a special payout based on the bet amounts. The calculation unit A43 is connected to the display unit A5 via the display control unit A42, and the display unit A5 displays the special payout calculated by the calculation unit A43.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit A5 outputs a display screen having the first to fifth special payout display parts A51 to A55 as display areas as a special payout display screen. The first special payout display part A51 is arranged with the maximum display area at the top of the display part A5. The second special payout display part A52 and the third special payout display part A53 are arranged on the left and right below the first special payout display part A51. The fourth special payout display part A54 and the fifth special payout display part A55 are arranged on the left and right below the second special payout display part A52 and the third special payout display part A53, respectively.

  The first special payout display portion A51 shows the payout amount to be paid out when 10 jackpot symbols are rearranged, and displays the payout amount in the case of the maximum bet on the maximum screen in the display area. The payout amounts for 5-bet, 3-bet, 2-bet, and 1-bet are each displayed on a small screen. The second special payout display part A52 shows the payout amount to be paid out when nine jackpot symbols are rearranged. Like the first special payout display part A51, the maximum bet and the five bets are displayed. The payout amount in the case of 3 bets, 2 bets and 1 bet is displayed. The third special payout display part A53 shows the payout amount to be paid out when eight jackpot symbols are rearranged. Like the first special payout display part A51, the maximum bet, five bets and three bets are displayed. And the payout amount in the case of 2 bets and 1 bet are displayed. The fourth special payout display portion A54 shows the payout amount to be paid out when seven jackpot symbols are rearranged, and the fifth special payout display portion A55 shows rearrangement of six jackpot symbols. It shows the amount of dividends to be paid out.

(Gaming system: Server A4)
The server A4 is configured to calculate a special payout consisting of a progressive jackpot based on the bet amounts from the plurality of gaming machines A1, A2 and A3, and to display the special payout on the display unit A5. The payout is transmitted to each of the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 and displayed. In this embodiment, the server A4 will be described as having a function as a center controller for managing the entire gaming machine system in addition to the function for calculating and displaying the special payout, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, it may be a dedicated server that calculates and displays a special payout, or any of the gaming machines connected to the connection unit can function as a host in the same manner as the server.

  More specifically, FIG. 3 shows that the server A4 stores increment values for each progressive level, and is obtained by multiplying the bet amounts received from the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 by the increment values, respectively. Is added as a progressive amount. The progressive amount calculated by the server A4 can be displayed on the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 and the display unit A5 that is a signage.

  The operations of the server A4 and the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 will be described in detail. First, in the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3, a game is started from idle (C1). (C2) The bet information is transmitted to the server A4 and the game is executed. When the game is ended (C4) from the middle of the game (C3), if the progressive jackpot is not won (C4: NO), the game is re-executed from C1. On the other hand, if the progressive jackpot is won (C4: YES), the progressive winning level (Progressive Hit) is notified (C5). Thereafter, the progressive winning amount (progressive value) is received from the server A4 (C6) and displayed on the 2nd screen 131, and the effect of the progressive jackpot is performed (C7).

  On the other hand, the server A4 is basically set to operate after receiving commands from the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3, and otherwise set to a standby state. In the standby state, the progressive jackpot value of each LEVEL is displayed.

  When the bet information transmitted from the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 is received, a predetermined percentage of the bet amount is added to the progressive jackpot value of each level (C11). For example, it is assumed that the BET amount, INCREMENT RATE setting, and the current progressive jackpot value are in the state shown in FIG. That is, INCREMENT RATE (%), the current value of the jackpot and the RESET value of the jackpot are 1%, $ 1,001.00, and $ 1,00.00 in LEVEL1, and 2% and $ in LEVEL2. 501.00 and $ 500.00, 5% in LEVEL3, $ 101.00 and $ 100.00, 10% in LEVEL4, $ 51.00 and $ 50.00, in LEVEL5 Assume 10%, $ 11.00 and $ 10.00.

  In the above case, first, a value obtained by multiplying the BET amount by each INCREMENT RATE (%) is calculated (processing 1). That is, if the BET amount is $ 10.00, at Level 1, $ 0.10 is calculated by multiplying $ 10.00 by 1% of FIG. At Level 2, $ 0.20 is calculated by multiplying $ 10.00 by 2% of FIG. Similarly, values multiplied by INCREMENT RATE (%) in Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 are calculated.

  Next, the value calculated in process 1 is added to the current value of the jackpot (process 2). That is, assuming that the current jackpot value at Level 1 is $ 1,001.00, $ 1.00 is calculated by adding $ 0.10 to this value. In Level 2, if the current jackpot value is $ 501.00, $ 0.20 is added to this value to calculate $ 501.20. By the same calculation method, the value calculated in the process 1 is added to the current jackpot value in Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5.

  Thereafter, when the winning level is received from the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3, the value of the progressive jackpot at the corresponding level is extracted and transmitted to the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 ( C12). For example, if the progressive jackpot of level 3 is won, the value of level 3 is extracted (processing 3). And it transmits to 1st-3rd gaming machine A1, A2, and A3. At this time, the progressive jackpot value (for example, $ 7.37) is displayed on the display unit A5. Thereafter, the value of the progressive jackpot of the corresponding LEVEL is reset (C13). That is, after the Level3 value is extracted, the Level3 value is set to a predetermined RESET value (fixed value). For example, $ 101.50 is set to a RESET value (fixed value) of $ 100.00. Other Levels do not RESET. Thereafter, after executing the progressive Win effect (C14), the process shifts to a standby state (C15).

(Gaming system: Gaming machine)
The first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 will be described in detail using specific numerical values such as a lottery probability. In the description, three first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 having different gaming characteristics, that is, the first gaming machine A1 of FIGS. 5A to 5C and the second gaming machine of FIGS. 6A to 6C are used. Although A2 and 3rd gaming machine A3 of Drawing 7A-Drawing 7C are illustrated, it is not limited to this.

(Gaming system: first gaming machine A1)
As shown in FIG. 5A, the first gaming machine A1 has a game specification in which the base game has 30 lines and 30 bets, and executes the base game with a payout rate of 57.0%. Further, the first gaming machine A1 shifts to the chance game with a probability of 1/90 (chance game: a game state in which the probability of winning a special payout is higher than that of the normal game). The chance game is a game that is executed with a bonus symbol existing on the third reel 103 in FIG. 9 being rearranged as a trigger, and is a free game that does not require a bet. The average number of cards used until the chance game is 1160 credits.

  During the chance game, the control unit A11 controls the jackpot symbols so that the jackpot symbols are more easily arranged and the special payout is awarded and cheaper than in the normal game, and after the chance game is over, the second lottery of the present invention is performed. The controller A12 controls so that the mystery lottery is always executed. Note that a similar mystery lottery is executed at the same timing in the control unit A22 in the second gaming machine A2 described later.

  Even during the normal game and the chance game, control by which the jackpot symbols are aligned and a special payout is awarded by the symbol lottery described above is executed by the control unit A11. Further, the jackpot symbol is also obtained by the mystery lottery described above. It has a uniform structure. In the case of this embodiment, the jackpot symbols are arranged in six or more kinds. When the six or more kinds are displayed on the symbol display device, the special payout is controlled. The design can be changed as appropriate so that a special payout can be obtained with the number of N pieces (N is 1 or more) limited to 6 kinds.

  With reference to FIG. 5A, in the case of a present Example, mystery lottery is performed using the table of FIG. 17 mentioned later. The probability of winning a linked progressive jackpot by a mystery lottery (second lottery) in a chance game in which the winning probability of the special payout of the present invention is higher than that of the base game is 1 / 20.03. In addition, in the first gaming machine of this embodiment, when a jackpot symbol of 4 or more kinds is arranged (agreeing that 4 or more jackpot symbols appear in the symbol display device), a fixed payout is made, and a 6-kind or more is made. A fixed payout + special payout is obtained, but the composite probability of arranging jackpot symbols is set to 1 / 1.01.

  With reference to FIG. 5C, the probability that the jackpot symbols are aligned in the total state of the base game, the chance game, and the mystery lottery game under the control of the control unit A11 of the first gaming machine of the present embodiment. That is, the total value of the probabilities that 6 to 10 kind jackpot symbols are displayed on the symbol display device is set to 1 / 57.1. The total value 1 / 57.1 of this probability is a composite value of the probability of 1/104 during the normal game, the probability of 1 / 1.6 (6 kind or more) during the chance game, and the probability of the mystery lottery 1/20. Calculated by rounding off to the second decimal place.

  Incidentally, in the second gaming machine, which will be described later, the probability of winning a special payout in the same mystery lottery (second lottery) as described above is 1.91%, under the control of the control unit A11 of the first gaming machine. Thus, the probability that the jackpot symbols are aligned, that is, the total probability that the 6 to 10 jackpot symbols are displayed on the symbol display device by the normal game, the chance game, and the mystery lottery is 1 / 57.1. Is set. As is apparent from the above, the probability that the jackpot symbols of the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine are aligned is 1 / 57.1 when rounded to the second decimal place. Are equal to each other in six or more kinds (the display mode based on the jackpot of the symbol display device is a mode in which six or more types appear). The number of decimal places taken into consideration is set to the same probability because it is affected by the regulation of the gaming machine in each country specified to make this value the same. It is not necessary. Further, in the third gaming machine A3 to be dictated, unlike the first and second gaming machines as described above, the lottery for obtaining a special payout is all described above without the mystery lottery after the chance game. The control unit A31 performs control so that the symbol lottery is executed, but the winning probability of the special payout during the normal game is 1/104, and the winning probability of the special payout during the chance game is 1 / 2.2 And the probability that the jackpot symbols are aligned in 6 or more types (the display mode based on the jackpot of the symbol display device is a mode in which 6 or more types appear) is 57.1. Therefore, the first and second gaming machines The probability of winning a special dividend is the same.

  The average number obtained in the chance game is 851.7 credits, which is repeated, but the number of progressive acquisition is obtained once in 1.6 chance games. The payout rate (PO%) is 31.5%. As shown in FIG. 5B, the progressive payout is 40 credits for 4 kind, 100 credits for 5 kind, 5 credits for 6 kind, 15 credits for 7 kind, 30 credits for 8 kind, 100 credits for 9 kind. 10 Kinds is 250 credits. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the normal game summed up from 6 to 10 is 1/104. The winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the chance game (one free game) is 1 / 1.6. The winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the chance game (mystery lottery) is 1 / 20.0.

  As a result, the chance game is won with a probability of 1/90 in the normal game, and the linked progressive jackpot is won with a probability of 1 / 1.6 in this chance game, so that the linked progressive jack seen from the normal game is obtained. The probability of winning the pot is 1/144. In addition, by winning with a probability of 1 / 20.0 by a mystery lottery (second lottery) after a chance game executed with a probability of 1/90 in the normal game, a linked progressive jackpot seen from the normal game is obtained. The probability of winning is 1/1800. Therefore, the sum of the winning probability (1/144) in the chance game, the winning probability (1/1800) in the mystery lottery, and the winning probability (1/104) in the normal game is about 1 / 57.1. Become. Further, the payout rate is 54.34%.

(Gaming system: second gaming machine A2)
As shown in FIG. 6A, the second gaming machine A2 has a game specification in which the base game has 30 lines and 30 bets, and the base game is executed with a payout rate of 55.3%. Further, the second gaming machine A2 shifts to the chance game with a probability of 1/45. The chance game is a game that is executed with a bonus symbol existing on the third reel 103 in FIG. 9 being rearranged as a trigger, and is a free game that does not require a bet. The average number used until the chance game is 603.3 credits. During the chance game, the jackpot symbols are easily arranged, and after the chance game is over, a linked progressive jackpot wins with a probability of 1.91% in the mystery lottery. As for the probability that the jackpot symbols are aligned, the total value of 6 kind to 10 kind is 1 / 1.18. Further, the probability of winning a linked progressive jackpot (a mystery rapid pit shot corresponding to the second lottery of the present invention) by the mystery lottery (second lottery) in the chance game is 1 / 52.42.

  The average number acquired in the chance game is 449.3 credits, and the number of progressive acquisitions is acquired once in a 3.0 chance game. The payout rate (PO%) is 33.3%. As shown in FIG. 6B, similar to the first gaming machine A1, the progressive payout is 40 credits for 4 kind, 100 credits for 5 kind, 5 credits for 6 kind, 15 credits for 7 kind, 8 Kind is 30 credits, 9 kind is 100 credits, 10 kind is 250 credits. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, the winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the base game summed up from 6 to 10 is 1/104. The winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the chance game (one free game) is 1 / 3.0. The winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the chance game (mystery lottery) is 1 / 52.4.

As a result, the chance game is won with a probability of 1/45 in the normal game, and the linked progressive jackpot is won with a probability of 1 / 3.0 in this chance game, so that the linked progressive jack seen from the normal game is obtained. The probability of winning the pot is 1/135. In addition, by winning with a probability of 1 / 52.4 by a mystery lottery (second lottery) after a chance game that is executed with a probability of 1/90 in the normal game, a linked progressive jackpot seen from the normal game is obtained. The probability of winning is 1/2358. Therefore, the sum of the winning probability (1/135) in the chance game, the winning probability (1/2358) in the mystery lottery, and the winning probability (1/104) in the normal game is about 1 / 57.1. Become. Further, the payout rate is 54.34%. As a result, between the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2, the lottery probability of the linked progressive jackpot (special payout) is made to coincide with the mystery lottery.

(Gaming system: Third gaming machine A3)
As shown in FIG. 7A, the third gaming machine A3 has a game specification in which the base game has 30 lines and 30 bets, and executes the base game with a payout rate of 56.3%. Further, the third gaming machine A3 shifts to the chance game with a probability of 1/60. The chance game is a chance game that is executed when a bonus symbol existing on the third reel 103 in FIG. 9 is rearranged, and is a free game that does not require a bet. The average number used until the chance game is 786.7 credits. During the chance game, the jackpot symbols are easily aligned. The probability that the jackpot symbols are aligned is 1/1. Note that the probability of winning a linked progressive jackpot (a mystery rapid shot corresponding to the second lottery of the present invention) by the mystery lottery (second lottery) in the chance game is zero.

  The average number acquired in the chance game is 584.9 credits, and the number of progressive acquisitions is acquired once in 2.2 chance games. As shown in FIG. 7B, similar to the first and second gaming machines A2, the progressive payout is 40 credits for 4 kind, 100 credits for 5 kind, 5 credits for 6 kind, and 15 credits for 7 kind. , 8 kind is 30 credits, 9 kind is 100 credits, 10 kind is 250 credits. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the normal game summed up from 6 to 10 is 1/104. The winning probability of the linked progressive jackpot in the chance game (one free game) is 1 / 2.2.

  As a result, the chance game is won with a probability of 1/60 in the normal game, and the linked progressive jackpot is won with a probability of 1 / 2.2 in this chance game, so the winning probability in the chance game (1/132) And the total value of the winning probability obtained by adding the winning probability (1/104) of the normal game is 1 / 57.1. Further, the payout rate is 54.34%. Therefore, when the first and second gaming machines A1 and A2 perform the mystery lottery, the combined value of the winning probabilities between the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 is made to coincide.

  Although regulations on casino game devices are set in each country, in the case of a gaming system in which a special payout is awarded by a plurality of linked gaming machines as in the present invention, each gaming machine has a special regulation. In some countries, the rule is that the probability of obtaining a payout is the same for all linked gaming machines.

(Gaming system: definition)
The gaming machines exemplified as the first to third gaming machines A1, A2, and A3 are incorporated in the gaming system 300 shown in FIG.

  The “gaming machine” is a type of game terminal in the gaming system 300. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine is described as an example of a game terminal linked to a server by a connection unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game controller 100 can give a special payout without using a server. A model equipped with can be applied as a game terminal.

  The “base game” in the present embodiment is executed by a gaming machine. The base game is a slot game in which a plurality of symbols are rearranged, and includes a normal game and a chance game. In this base game, a linked progressive jackpot (special dividend) can be won. In addition, after the chance game is over, a mystery lottery (second lottery) for lottering the number of KINDs of the jackpot symbol is executed to enable a linked progressive jackpot.

  The rearrangement of symbols in the slot game is performed on a mechanical reel which is the symbol display device M1. The slot game executes a chance game in which a free game is executed as a bonus game with one game number. Note that the free game in the chance game is not limited to one time but may be multiple times.

  In this embodiment, a slot game that executes a base game and a chance game will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slot game is a chance game instead of or in addition to the chance game. A bonus game different from that may be executed. For example, the slot game may include a process of executing a bonus game in which symbols are rearranged under a condition that a payout rate is higher than that of a normal game, and a bonus payout according to the rearranged symbols is awarded. Further, the slot game may have a process of executing a rescue process when the rescue start condition is satisfied.

  In the “symbol”, a specific symbol and a normal symbol constitute a plurality of symbols. That is, the symbol is a superordinate concept of the specific symbol and the normal symbol. The specific symbol includes a bonus symbol and a jackpot symbol. The bonus symbol is a symbol serving as a trigger for starting execution of the chance game. Details of the symbols will be described later.

  The “game value” is a coin, a bill, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these. The game value in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a game medium such as a medal, token, electronic money, ticket or the like. The ticket is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a ticket with a barcode described later. Further, the “game value” may be a game point that does not include valuable information.

  A “free game” is a game that can be executed with fewer bets of game value than a normal game. “A game can be executed with fewer bets of game value” includes the case where the bet is “0”. Therefore, the “free game” may be a game that is executed without a game value bet as a condition and pays an amount of game value corresponding to the rearranged symbols. In other words, the “free game” may be a game that is started without presuming the consumption of game value. On the other hand, the “normal game” is a game that is executed on the condition that a game value is bet and pays an amount of game value corresponding to the rearranged symbols. In other words, the “normal game” is a game that is started on the premise that the game value is consumed.

  The “rearrangement” means a state in which symbols are arranged again after the arrangement of symbols is cancelled. “Arrangement” means that the symbol can be visually confirmed by an external player. Specifically, in the “rearrangement”, after the symbols on the reel are variably displayed along with the rotation of the reel, the symbols are displayed by stopping the symbol variability display by stopping the rotation of the reel. It is in a state of stopping in the window.

  “Normal payout according to rearranged symbols” means a normal payout corresponding to a rearranged winning combination. The “bonus payout according to the rearranged symbols” means a bonus payout corresponding to the rearranged winning combination. The “winning combination” means that a prize is established.

(Gaming system 300: details)
As shown in FIG. 8, a gaming system 300 in which a plurality of gaming machines 10a to 10d are linked will be described. The gaming machines 10a to 10d are provided in a gaming system 300 of a multi-participant type. In the gaming system 300, a plurality of gaming machines 10a to 10d, which are game terminals provided with the reel device M1, are connected to the server A4 so that data communication is possible. The gaming system 300 enables a base game such as a slot game to be individually executed on each gaming machine 10a to 10d. Furthermore, the gaming system 300 allows a linked progressive jackpot to be awarded as an award with the same establishment probability between the gaming machines 10a to 10d.

  Note that the gaming system 300 may be able to execute a common game by synchronizing the gaming machines 10a to 10d. The connection between the gaming machines 10a to 10d and the server A4 may be wired or wireless, or a combination thereof. Further, the unit of the bet amount may be a currency of a country or region such as dollar, yen, euro, or a game point used only in a hall or industry provided with the gaming system 300.

  The above configuration will be described more specifically. The gaming system 300 includes gaming machines 10a to 10d and a server A4 connected to the gaming machines 10a to 10d so as to be able to perform data communication. The server A4 is connected to a plurality of gaming machines 10a to 10d installed in the hall so that data communication is possible.

  The gaming machines 10a to 10d have a BET button 601, a spin button 602, a reel device M1 (symbol display device), and a game controller 100 that controls these components. The BET button 601 and the spin button 602 are types of input devices. Furthermore, the gaming machines 10a to 10d include a transmission / reception unit 652 that enables data communication with the server A4.

  The BET button 601 has a function of accepting a bet amount by a player's operation. The spin button 602 has a function of accepting the start of a game such as a normal game by a player's operation, that is, a start operation. The display 614 has a function of displaying still image information such as various symbols, numerical values, and symbols, and moving image information such as effect images. Further, the display 614 has a touch panel 69 as an input device, and has a function of accepting various commands by a player's pressing operation. The display 614 has a video display area 614b and a mystery lottery display area 614c.

  The game controller 100 includes a start check unit 603, a normal game execution unit 605, a bonus game start determination unit 606, a bonus game execution unit 607, a random value extraction unit 615, a symbol determination unit 612, and an effect random number value. It has an extraction unit 616, an effect content determination unit 613, a speaker unit 617, a lamp unit 618, a winning determination unit 619, and a prize grant 620.

  The normal game execution unit 605 has a function of executing a normal game on condition that the BET button 601 is operated. The bonus game start determination unit 606 determines whether to execute the bonus game based on the combination of symbols rearranged in the normal game. That is, the bonus game start determination unit 606 determines that the chance game is won when the bonus symbols are rearranged, and shifts the processing to the bonus game execution unit 607 so as to execute the chance game from the next unit game. It has the function to do.

  Here, the “unit game” is a series of operations from the start of accepting a bet to a state where a prize can be established. For example, the unit game of the normal game is in a state including a bet time for accepting a bet, a game time for rearranging the stopped symbols, and a payout time for payout processing for giving a payout once. The unit game in the normal game is called a unit normal game. The bonus game execution unit 607 has a function of executing a chance game including a free game only by operating the spin button 602.

  The symbol determination unit 612 uses a random value from the random value extraction unit 615 to determine a symbol to be rearranged, a function to rearrange the determined symbol in the reel device M1, and a symbol rearrangement A function of outputting information to the winning determination unit 619 and a function of outputting an effect designation signal to the effect random number extraction unit 616 based on the symbol rearrangement state.

  When receiving the effect command signal from the symbol determining unit 612, the effect random number extracting unit 616 has a function of extracting the effect random number and a function of outputting the effect random number to the effect content determining unit 613. Have. The effect content determination unit 613 has a function of determining the effect content using the random number value for the effect, a function of outputting video information of the determined effect content to the video display area 614b of the display 614, and a voice / A function of outputting light emission information to the speaker portion 617 and the lamp portion 618.

  The winning determination unit 619 has a function of determining the presence / absence of a winning when symbol rearrangement information is obtained, a function of calculating a payout amount based on a winning combination when determining that a winning has been achieved, and a payout amount And a function of outputting a payout signal based on the award granting unit 620. The prize giving unit 620 has a function of paying out game value to the player. The award granting unit 620 has a function of adding credit data corresponding to the credit to be paid out to credit data stored in an IC card inserted into the PTS terminal 700 described later.

  Furthermore, the game controller 100 has a mystery lottery unit 633. The mystery lottery unit 633 allows a linked progressive jackpot to be won by the mystery lottery at the end of the chance game.

  The game controller 100 is connected to the PTS terminal 700. The PTS terminal 700 is a unit in which an LCD, a microphone, a human body detection camera, and the like are integrated, and has a function of rendering a game, for example, by communicating with the game controller 100. The PTS terminal 700 is provided with a card insertion slot so that an IC card can be inserted. Thereby, the player can use the credit stored in the IC card with the gaming machines 10a to 10d by inserting the IC card into the card insertion slot.

  In addition, when the game controller 100 receives credit data from the PTS terminal 700, the game controller 100 updates the credit display on the display 614. Furthermore, the game controller 100 outputs the adjustment credit data to the PTS terminal 700 when the game is adjusted.

  The PTS terminals 700 included in the plurality of gaming machines 10a to 10d constituting the gaming system 300 are connected to the management server 800 so as to be communicable, and collectively download images and manage IC cards and credits. .

(Outline of gaming machine)
As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine 10 has five reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 from left to right. The five reels 101 to 105 are mechanically controlled for rotation and stop by an electric motor. In the gaming machine 10, the symbols are stopped at three stages of an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage on each of the five reels 101 to 105. When the five reels 101 to 105 are stopped, a total of 15 symbols (= 5 reels × 3 stages) are rearranged in the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40.

  The gaming machine 10 has 30 paylines in the display window 150. The winning is determined by the type and number of symbols arranged along the payline. In the gaming machine 10, 30 pay lines are valid from 1 credit which is the minimum bet. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, 30 paylines are always valid regardless of the number of bets, and the winning probability is constant regardless of the number of bets. The difference in the number of bets is adjusted by proportionally calculating the payout amount. For example, when a prize is established on one payline, the payout amount for 10 bets is 10 times the payout amount for 1 bet.

  The betting pattern of the gaming machine 10 is (1) 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, (2) 30, 60, 90, 150, 300, (3) 30, 60, 150, 300, 450, (4) There are four patterns of 30, 60, 150, 300, and 600. Any one of these four bet patterns is set. A bet pattern can be set by a clerk at a gaming facility such as a casino.

  As described above, 30 paylines are always valid. Therefore, the number of bets per payline in the bet pattern is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The number of bets per payline in the second bet pattern is 1, 2, 3, 5, 10. The number of bets per payline in the third bet pattern is 1, 2, 5, 10, 15. The number of bets per payline in the fourth bet pattern is 1, 2, 5, 10, 20. Thus, the maximum number of bets per payline in each of the four bet patterns is 5, 10, 15, and 20.

  The symbol configuration of the gaming machine 10 includes RED7, BLUE7, 3BAR, 2BAR, 1BAR, JACKPOT, and BONUS. For RED7, BLUE7, 3BAR, 2BAR, and 1BAR, winning is determined by LEFT TO RIGHT. The winning is determined based on the number of predetermined symbols continuously arranged from the left side to the right side along the payline.

  In other words, the payout is determined by the type and number of symbols that are continuously arranged along the payline from the leftmost reel 101 toward the rightmost reel M105. Accordingly, when symbols are arranged along the payline continuously from the reel M102, the reel M103, and the reel M104, no winning is made and no payout is made.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 described later, nine types of winning patterns are defined. Details of the winning pattern will be described later. When two types of symbols RED7 and BLUE7 are mixed and arranged on the payline, a predetermined payout is determined as ANY7. When two types of symbols of BLUE7 and RED7 are mixed and arranged on the payline, a predetermined payout is determined as ANY7.

  When three types of symbols of 3BAR, 2BAR, and 1BAR are mixed and arranged on the payline, a predetermined payout is determined as ANYBAR. When three types of symbols of 2BAR, 3BAR, and 1BAR are mixed and arranged on the payline, a predetermined payout is determined as ANYBAR. When three types of symbols of 1BAR, 3BAR, and 2BAR are mixed and arranged on the payline, a predetermined payout is determined as ANYBAR.

  JACKPOT and BONUS (the character display is “RAPID SHOT”) are scatter symbols. If a predetermined number of JACKPOT and BONUS appear in the display window 150, a prize is won.

  Two JACKPOTs are continuously arranged on each reel with BLANK interposed therebetween. BONUS is arranged only on the third reel.

  In the normal game mode, BONUS that is a scatter symbol appears in the display window 150, a free game trigger is established, and the normal game mode shifts to the free game mode that is a chance game.

  In the free game mode, one free game can be executed and JACKPOT is easily established. Furthermore, retrigger is established when BONUS appears in the display window 150 in the free game mode, and one free game is added in the free game mode. Furthermore, a mystery lottery (second lottery) is executed at the timing when the free game mode ends without a retrigger being established, and a linked progressive jackpot can be won.

  The gaming machine 10 has a progressive function. With the progressive function, on the condition that 6KIND or more (6 or more) JACKPOTs are rearranged in the display window 150, the progressive amount accumulated until then is paid out.

  The gaming machine 10 adds a predetermined accumulated amount to the progressive amount each time a unit game is executed. The progressive amount paid out in a progressive manner means the total accumulated amount.

  As will be described later, on the condition that 4KIND or more (4 or more) JACKPOTs are rearranged in the display window 150, a payout corresponding to the number of KINDs (a normal payout) is paid out. As described above, the progressive amount is paid out on condition that a JACKPOT of 6KIND or more is rearranged in the display window 150. Therefore, when a JACKPOT of 6KIND or more is rearranged in the display window 150, a progressive amount is paid out in addition to a payout corresponding to the number of KINDs. That is, when a JACKPOT of 6KIND or more is rearranged, both a payout corresponding to the number of KINDs and a progressive amount are paid out.

[Overall structure of gaming machine]
Next, the overall structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the gaming machine 10, electronic valuable information such as electronic money is used as the game value. Note that the game value is not limited to these, and for example, coins, medals, tokens, barcoded tickets, and the like may be employed.

  The gaming machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11. The cabinet 11 is provided with a lamp 111.

  The main door 13 is provided with a reel device M1 (corresponding to a symbol display device) comprising five reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105. A reel cover 135 is provided on the front surface of the reel device M1. A liquid crystal display device 134 and a transparent panel are provided on the front surface of the reel cover 135 to notify the player of the game situation. The liquid crystal display device 134 includes a touch panel 137. The reel cover 135 has a display window 150 at the center. In the display window 150, one symbol is displayed in each of the three areas of the upper, middle, and lower stages according to the reels 101 to 105. That is, the display window 150 displays a total of 15 symbols in 5 columns and 3 rows so as to be visible. In addition, 22 symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 101, 102, 103, 104, 105. These 22 symbols are continuously arranged along the rotation direction of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 to form a symbol row. The symbol string is configured by combining “RED7”, “BLUE7”, “3BAR”, “2BAR”, “1BAR”, “JP”, and “BONUS”. The main door 13 is provided with a speaker 112.

  In addition, the gaming machines 10a to 10d are set with paylines for determining winning of symbols rearranged in the display window 150. In the present embodiment, a total of 30 paylines are formed.

  The reel device M1 repositions the symbols on the display window 150 by rotationally driving the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 having symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface. In the following description, the first reel 101, the second reel 102, the third reel 103, the fourth reel 104, and the fifth reel 105 are also referred to in order from the left end when viewed from the front.

  On the inner peripheral side of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 configured as described above, backlight devices (not shown) are provided, respectively. The backlight device emits illumination light from the inner peripheral side of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 toward the outer peripheral surface of the reel, and the irradiation light transmitted through the outer peripheral surface of the reel is visually recognized from the outside of the display window 150. It is arranged so that. The backlight device has a specification in which the amount of light when the illumination light is emitted can be changed in a plurality of stages, and it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of effects using the illumination light. Each backlight device is capable of emitting multicolor light, and illuminates illumination light for each symbol.

  In this embodiment, the case where the gaming machines 10a to 10d include the reel device M1 of the mechanical reel type is described. However, the gaming machines 10a to 10d of the present invention are of a video reel type that displays a pseudo reel. There may be a mixture of video reels and mechanical systems.

  An upper image display panel 131 is provided on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper image display panel 131 is a liquid crystal panel and constitutes a display. The upper image display panel 131 displays an image related to the effect, an introduction of the contents of the game, and an image showing the explanation of the rules. In the present embodiment, the upper image display panel 131 displays a progressive payout screen showing the payout amounts of a plurality of types of progressive jackpots (corresponding to progressive payouts).

  Below the reel device M1, a control panel 30 provided with various buttons, a PTS device 700, and a bill entry 60 are provided.

  The bill entry 60 is for identifying whether or not a bill is appropriate and accepting a regular bill into the cabinet 11. The bill entry 60 is electrically connected to the PTS device 700, and transmits an input signal based on the amount of the bill to the PTS device 700 when a regular bill is received. This input signal includes information such as credit data related to the accepted bill.

  The PTS device 700 is a unit in which an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a human body detection camera, a microphone, and the like are integrated. The human body detection camera can detect the presence or absence of a player by a camera function. The microphone is used for the player to participate in the game by voice or to authenticate the player by voice recognition. Further, the PTS device 700 is provided with a card insertion slot so that an IC card can be inserted. Thereby, the player can use the credit stored in the IC card in the gaming machine 10 by inserting the IC card into the card insertion slot.

(Control panel 30)
The control panel 30 arranges the HELP button 31 and the CASHOUT button 32 in the left region, and the 30-BET button 34, 60-BET button 35, 90-BET button 37, 150-BET button 38, 300-BET button 39. Are arranged in the central area, and the spin button 46 is arranged in the right area toward the center.

  The HELP button 31 is a button that is pressed when a game operation method or the like is unknown. When the HELP button 31 is pressed, various types of help information are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 134. The CASHOUT button 32 is an operation button used when clearing credits deposited in the gaming machine 10.

  The 30-BET button 34 is a button for betting 30 credits currently owned by the player each time the button is pressed once. The 60-BET button 35 is a button for starting a game with 60 bets. The 90-BET button 37 is a button for starting a game with 90 bets. The 150-BET button 38 is a button for starting a game with 150 bets. The 300-BET button 39 is a button for starting a game with 300 bets. Accordingly, when the 30-BET button 34, 60-BET button 35, 90-BET button 37, 150-BET button 38, and 300-BET button 39 are pressed, the bet amount betted in the game is determined. The spin button 46 is a button used when scrolling of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 is started.

(Electric configuration of slot machine)
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a configuration of a circuit included in the slot machine will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The gaming board 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a boot ROM 53, which are connected to each other via an internal bus, a card slot 55 corresponding to the memory card 54, and an IC socket 57 corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 56.

  The memory card 54 is composed of a nonvolatile memory and stores a game program. The game program includes a program related to game progression and an effect program for executing effects by images and sounds.

  The card slot 55 is configured so that the memory card 54 can be inserted and removed, and is connected to the motherboard 70 via an IDE bus. Accordingly, by removing the memory card 54 from the card slot 55, writing another game program into the memory card 54, and inserting the memory card 54 into the card slot 55, the types and contents of games played in the gaming machines 10 a to 10 d can be determined. Can be changed.

  The GAL 56 is a kind of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having an OR fixed type array structure. The GAL 56 includes a plurality of input ports and output ports. When a predetermined input is input to the input port, the corresponding data is output from the output port.

  The IC socket 57 is configured so that the GAL 56 can be attached and detached, and is connected to the mother board 70 by a PCI bus. Changing the contents of games played in the gaming machines 10a to 10d by replacing the memory card 54 with another program written or rewriting the program written on the memory card 54 with another one. Can do.

  The CPU 51, ROM 52, and boot ROM 53 connected to each other via an internal bus are connected to the motherboard 70 via a PCI bus. The PCI bus transmits signals between the motherboard 70 and the gaming board 50 and supplies power from the motherboard 70 to the gaming board 50.

  The ROM 52 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 53 stores a preliminary authentication program and a program (boot code) for the CPU 51 to start the preliminary authentication program. The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) for authenticating the game program. The preliminary authentication program is a program for authenticating the authentication program. The authentication program and the preliminary authentication program are described in accordance with a procedure (authentication procedure) for authenticating that the target program has not been tampered with.

  The motherboard 70 includes a main CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and a communication interface 82. The ROM 72 and the RAM 73 correspond to a storage device.

  The ROM 72 includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as a BIOS executed by the main CPU 71 and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 71, initialization processing of predetermined peripheral devices is performed. In addition, a process for taking in a game program stored in the memory card 54 is started via the gaming board 50.

  The processor according to the present invention includes the main CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, and the memory card 54 that stores the game program, and is configured to control the slot machine by executing the game program on the main CPU 71. . It goes without saying that the processor is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the game program is stored in the ROM 72 instead of the memory card 54 can be adopted.

  The RAM 73 stores data and programs used when the main CPU 71 operates. For example, when the above-described game program or authentication program is loaded, these can be stored. The RAM 73 is provided with a work area for executing the program. For example, an area for storing the number of games, the bet amount, the number of credits awarded, a progressive payout value, and an area for storing a symbol (code number) determined by lottery are provided.

  The RAM 73 stores various data tables described later. The communication interface 82 is for communicating with the PTS device 700 and an external control device (not shown). When the PTS device 700 receives an input signal from the bill entry 60, the PTS device 700 transmits credit data included in the input signal to the main CPU 71 via the communication interface 82. Further, when an IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot, the PTS device 700 transmits credit data stored in the IC card to the main CPU 71 via the communication interface 82. Further, the PTS device 700 writes credit data to the IC card inserted into the card insertion slot based on the control signal received from the main CPU 71 via the communication interface 82.

  Further, a door PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 90 and a main body PCB 110 are connected to the motherboard 70 by USB. Further, a power supply unit 81 is connected to the motherboard 70. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 81 to the motherboard 70, the main CPU 71 of the motherboard 70 is activated, and power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via the PCI bus to activate the CPU 51.

  Input devices such as switches and sensors and peripheral devices whose operations are controlled by the main CPU 71 are connected to the door PCB 90 and the main body PCB 110. A control panel 30 and a cold cathode tube 93 are connected to the door PCB 90.

  The control panel 30 has a HELP switch 31S, a CASHOUT switch 32S, a 30-BET switch 34S, a 60-BET switch 35S, a 90-BET switch 37S, a 150-BET switch 38S, and a 300-BET corresponding to the above buttons. A switch 39 and a spin switch 46S are provided. Each switch detects that the corresponding button has been pressed by the player, and outputs a signal to the main CPU 71.

  The cold cathode tube 93 functions as a backlight installed on the back side of the upper image display panel 131 and lights up based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71.

  A lamp 111, a speaker 112, a graphic board 130, a liquid display device 136, a touch panel 137, an index detection circuit 151, a position change detection circuit 152, a backlight control circuit 153, and a motor drive circuit 154 are connected to the main body PCB 110. Further, the index detection circuit 151, the position change detection circuit 152, the backlight control circuit 153, and the motor drive circuit 154 are connected to the reel device M1.

  The lamp 111 is lit based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71. The speaker 112 outputs a sound such as BGM based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71.

  The graphic board 130 controls display of images performed by the upper image display panel 131 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71. The graphic board 130 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data, a video RAM that stores image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that the image data used when generating image data by VDP is included in the game program read from the memory card 54 and stored in the RAM 73.

  The liquid display device 136 displays an image based on a control signal output from the main CPU 71. The touch panel 137 detects a position touched by the player's finger or the like on the liquid display device 136 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 71.

  A stepping motor that rotates the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 is connected to the motor drive circuit 154. In addition, the motor drive circuit 154 includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a driver. The FPGA is an electronic circuit such as a programmable LSI and functions as a control circuit for the stepping motor. The driver functions as an amplifier circuit for pulses input to the stepping motor.

  The index detection circuit 151 detects the position of the rotating reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105, and can detect the step-out of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105.

  The position change detection circuit 152 detects a change in the stop position of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 after the rotation of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 has stopped. For example, the position change detection circuit 152 has the stop position changed to be a symbol combination related to winning by an external action such as fraud even though it is not actually a combination of symbols related to winning. In this case, a change in the stop position of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 is detected. The position change detection circuit 152 detects, for example, fins (not shown) attached to the inner portions of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 at predetermined intervals, thereby causing the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 is configured to be able to detect a change in the stop position.

  The excitation method of the stepping motor is not particularly limited, and a 1-2 phase excitation method or a two phase excitation method can be adopted. Further, a DC motor may be employed instead of the stepping motor. When a DC motor is employed, a deviation counter, a D / A converter, and a servo amplifier are sequentially connected to the main body PCB 110, and the DC motor is connected to the servo amplifier. The rotational position of the DC motor is detected by a rotary encoder, and the current rotational position of the DC motor is supplied as data from the rotary encoder to the deviation counter.

  The backlight control circuit 153 is connected to supply driving power to the backlight device individually. The backlight control circuit 153 can change and control the amount of light when the illumination light is emitted in response to a command from the main CPU 71. The five backlight devices provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 are individually connected to the 20 symbols stopped on the display window 150 via the backlight control circuit 153. It is possible to emit illumination light.

(Game program functions)
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a game program executed by the main CPU 71. When power is supplied to the gaming machine 10, the main CPU 71 reads the authenticated game program and game system program from the memory card 54 via the gaming board 50, and writes these programs in the RAM 73. The game program is executed in the state loaded in the RAM 73 in this way.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the game program includes an input / credit check processing unit 300, a random number generation processing unit 302, a symbol determination processing unit 304, a game counter processing unit 306, a reel control processing unit 308, a winning determination processing unit 310, An effect control processing unit 312, a payout processing unit 314, and a game mode determination processing unit 316 are included.

  The input / credit check processing unit 300 continuously checks whether any of the BET switches 34S to 38S or the spin button 46 is pressed in an idle state in which the reels 101 to 105 are stopped. When the BET switch 34S to 38S or the spin button 46 is pressed, the input / credit check processing unit 300 checks whether or not the player's credit remains based on the credit number counter 320 stored in the RAM 73. To do. When at least one credit of the player remains, the input / credit check processing unit 300 calls the random number generation processing unit 302.

  Thereafter, the random number generation processing unit 302 generates a random number, and the symbol determination processing unit 304 uses the random number. In the present embodiment, the random number generation processing unit 302 generates five random numbers. Each of the five random numbers is used for each of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105. A random number for determining the value of the BONUS symbol is also generated. Furthermore, a random number for determining the winning of the mystery lottery and a random number for determining the rearrangement mode of the JACKPOT at the time of the mystery winning are generated.

  After all five random numbers have been extracted, the symbol determination processing unit 304 refers to a symbol determination table stored in the RAM 73 and determines a scheduled stop symbol for each of the reels 101 to 105. The symbol determination processing unit 304 determines five symbols to be stopped on a plurality of scroll lines (for example, five reels 101 to 105) using five random numbers, and displays a plurality of symbols in the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40. Symbols associated with each of the scroll lines (for example, five reels 101 to 105). In addition, after the random number for determining the BONUS and JACKPOT values is extracted, the symbol determination processing unit 304 refers to the BONUS / JACKPOT symbol value determination table stored in the RAM 73 and determines the BONUS and JACKPOT values. decide. Further, after the random number for determining the JACKPOT rearrangement mode is extracted, the symbol determination processing unit 304 refers to the mystery rearrangement mode table stored in the RAM 73 and determines the JACKPOT rearrangement mode. .

  The reel control processing unit 308 controls the reel device M1 by supplying stop position information corresponding to the determined symbol. In this manner, the reels 101 to 105 stop at the position specified by the stop position information after rotating. That is, the symbol scrolls as the reels 101 to 105 rotate. Next, the reels 101 to 105 are stopped so that the determined symbols are rearranged at the center position in the vertical direction of the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40.

  The winning determination processing unit 310 determines whether or not a predetermined winning combination is established by the rearranged symbols. When the winning combination is established by the rearranged symbols, the effect control processing unit 312 controls the symbol display unit 40 and other devices according to the winning combination and the game mode. Other devices include a speaker 112, a lamp 111, a video display unit 110, and the like. Production includes production by video and audio, production by backlight change and illumination. Further, the payout processing unit 314 determines a payout amount according to the established winning combination, and gives the payout amount to the player. That is, in the base game (normal game, chance game), the payout amount is given to the player by referring to the payout table, and in the mystery lottery (second lottery), the payout amount is given to the player by referring to the mystery lottery table. Give.

  In addition, every time a unit game ends, the game mode determination processing unit 316 determines the game mode of the next unit game. When a free game trigger occurs due to the rearranged symbols, the game mode determination processing unit 316 changes from the normal mode to the free game mode. When the free game end condition is satisfied, the game mode determination processing unit 316 changes from the free game mode to the normal mode. In other cases, the game mode determination processing unit 316 maintains the previous game mode. The game mode determination processing unit 316 may be executed by the winning determination processing unit 310.

  The game counter processing unit 306 sets the number of free games in accordance with the winning combination in the winning determination processing unit 310 and manages the free game number counter 324 to be decremented by one as the free game is executed. When a predetermined winning combination is established in the free game mode, the number of times related to the winning combination is added to the free game number counter 324 in which the number of remaining free games is stored. In the present embodiment, 1 is added by rearranging one bonus symbol. The value of the free game number counter 324 is stored in the RAM 73. The game counter processing unit 306 may belong to the symbol determination processing unit 304.

  The input / credit check processing unit 300 can be a single input / credit check processing device 300 ′. The random number generation processing unit 302 can be a single random number generation processing device 302 ′. The symbol determination processing unit 304 can be a single symbol determination processing device 304 ′. The game counter processing unit 306 can be a single game counter processing device 306 '. The reel control processing unit 308 can be a single reel control processing device 308 '. The winning determination determination processing unit 310 can be a single winning determination determination processing device 310 ′. The effect control processing unit 312 can be a single effect control processing device 312 '. The payout processing unit 314 can be a single payout processing device 314 '. The game mode determination processing unit 316 may be a single game mode determination processing device 316 '. Thus, it can be set as a single device set. Moreover, it can also be set as the apparatus which integrated some of these. In any case, any process, component, device, or unit that can execute the game program may be used.

(Payline)
FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of a payline definition table that defines paylines employed in the gaming machine 10. In the gaming machine 10, 30 paylines are set in the symbol matrix. The payline definition table defines paylines formed by connecting the upper, middle, or lower stages of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 in the display window 150.

  For example, the middle stage of the first reel 101 (first row), the middle stage of the second reel M3b (second row), the middle stage of the third reel 103 (third row), the fourth reel M3d (fourth row). ) And the middle stage of the fifth reel M3e (fifth row) form one payline ((No. = 1) payline).

  In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, all 30 paylines are active regardless of the bet amount or player selection. The payline may be activated according to the player's selection. Further, the total number of paylines can be determined as appropriate according to the size of the symbol matrix.

(Symbol determination table)
13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating examples of the symbol determination table. FIG. 13 shows weights in the normal game mode, and FIG. 14 shows weights in the free game mode.

  The symbol determination table is a table that determines symbols arranged on each of the reels 101 to 105 and weights (appearance probabilities) defined for these symbols. The symbol determination table defines the probability that each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 appears in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150).

  The symbol determination table defines the appearance probability of the symbol. For example, the code number NO. The 2 BAR of 0 has a weight of “4” and the appearance probability is 4/80 (80 in the bottom row is the sum of the weights and is shown for convenience, and need not be included in the configuration of the symbol determination table) .

  In a symbol lottery process to be described later, five random numbers are extracted, and five symbols corresponding to each of the reels 101 to 105 are determined with reference to the symbol determination table of FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 using the extracted random number values. . Each of the reels 101 to 105 is controlled to stop so that the determined five symbols are located in the middle stage of the symbol matrix.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the weight in the free game mode is NO. 2 JACKPOT and NO. 3 BLANK and NO. No. 4 JACKPOT is specified so that it is easy to win. Therefore, in the unit game in the free game mode, NO. 2 JACKPOT, NO. 3 BLANK, NO. 4 JACKPOT tends to stop at the middle of the symbol matrix.

  BONUS is the NO. 12 only. As described above, when BONUS appears in any one of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 150, a free game trigger is established. That is, the NO. 11, NO. 12, NO. If any of 13 is won, a free game trigger is established.

  JACKPOT is the NO. Of each of the five reels 101 to 105. 2 and NO. 4 is arranged. JACKPOT is also a scatter symbol, and a maximum of 10 JACKPOTs can appear in the display window 150.

(Payout table)
15 and 16 are diagrams showing examples of payout tables, which define nine types of winning patterns.

  The payout table shows the relationship between the winning pattern, the number of Kinds of symbols, and the payout. The Kind number is the number of symbols constituting the winning pattern, and means the number of symbols arranged continuously from the left side to the right side along the payline. As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, winning is determined by LEFT TO RIGHT except for JACKPOT and BONUS which are scatter symbols. Accordingly, the payout is determined by the type and number of symbols that are continuously arranged along the payline from the leftmost reel 101 toward the rightmost reel M3e.

  The first winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five REDs 7 are continuously arranged along the payline. The second winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five BLUEs 7 are continuously arranged along the payline.

  For example, in the case of the first winning pattern, if the leftmost reel 101 is continuously arranged along the payline from RED7-RED7-RED7, the number of Kinds is three and the payout is 50. Similarly, when the leftmost reel 101 is continuously arranged along the payline from RED7-RED7-RED7-RED7, the number of Kinds is 4 and the payout is 100. When the leftmost reel 101 is continuously aligned along the payline from RED7-RED7-RED7-RED7-RED7, the number of Kinds is five and the payout is 500.

  The third winning pattern is ANY7. ANY7 indicates a pattern in which two types of symbols RED7 and BLUE7 are mixed and arranged on the payline, or a pattern in which two types of symbols BLUE7 and RED7 are mixed and arranged on the payline. The third winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five symbols that satisfy the ANY7 pattern are continuously arranged along the payline.

  The fourth winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five 3BARs are continuously arranged along the payline. The fifth winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five 2BARs are continuously arranged along the payline. The sixth winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five 1BARs are continuously arranged along the payline.

  The seventh winning pattern is ANYBAR. ANYBAR is a pattern in which 3 kinds of symbols of 3BAR, 2BAR, and 1BAR are mixed and arranged on the payline. Pattern that 3 kinds of symbols of 2BAR, 3BAR, and 1BAR are mixed and arranged on the payline, 1BAR, 3BAR, and 2BAR A pattern in which three types of symbols are mixed and arranged on a payline. The seventh winning pattern is a pattern when three, four, or five symbols that satisfy the ANYBAR pattern are continuously arranged along the payline.

  The eighth winning pattern is a BONUS pattern. The ninth winning pattern is a JACKPOT pattern. BONUS and JACKPOT are scatter symbols. Therefore, the payout is determined only by the number of appearances in the display window 150 regardless of the payrun.

  As described above, BONUS is the NO. Only one is arranged in 12. When this one BONUS appears, the payout is 30. The eighth winning pattern is a pattern in which the payout is 30 if BONUS of the reel M103 appears in any one of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 150.

  JACKPOT is also a scatter symbol. The payout when four JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 40. The payout when five JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 100. The payout when six JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 500. The payout when seven JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 1500. The payout when eight JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 3000. The payout when nine JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 10,000. The payout when all 10 JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150 is 25000. The ninth winning pattern is a JACKPOT pattern.

  Thus, when four or more JACKPOTs appear, a payout is determined as a normal payout (fixed payout) according to the number of JACKPOTs that have appeared. Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as a progressive function, when six or more JACKPOTs are rearranged in the display window 150, it is assumed that progressive winning is added to these fixed payouts, The progressive amount that has been made is also determined as a JACKPOT payout.

  In the gaming machine 10, the winning determination processing unit 310 in FIG. 11 refers to the payout table every time the unit game is executed, and determines whether or not the winning pattern defined in the payout table is established. When any of the winning patterns defined in the payout table is established, the winning determination processing unit 310 reads a payout corresponding to the number of Kinds with reference to the payout table. Also, the winning determination processing unit 310 determines whether or not the winning pattern is satisfied for BONUS and JACKPOT, and reads the payout corresponding to the number of Kinds.

  The payout processing unit 314 pays out a payout amount corresponding to the read payout. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning pattern does not satisfy the winning pattern, the winning determination processing unit 310 determines that it is a so-called off. The profit by payout is given to the player by adding a credit corresponding to the payout amount.

(Mystery lottery table)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mystery lottery table referred to in the mystery lottery. The mystery lottery table sets the progressive rank of the linked progressive jackpot (KIND number of jackpot symbols) and the lottery probability based on the weight in association with the progressive rank. Specifically, 5 stages of progressive ranks 1sT, 2nD, 3rD, 4tT, 5tT are set, and no progressive rank is set. By assigning weights to these progressive ranks, lottery probabilities are set. Yes. As a result, in the mystery lottery, the progressive rank does not occur with a probability of 95.01%, and the remaining linked links corresponding to the progressive ranks 1sT, 2nD, 3rD, 4tT, and 5tT with a probability of 4.99% are obtained. Progressive jackpot will win.

(Jackpot symbol rearrangement mode table)
18A to 18E are diagrams illustrating examples of jackpot symbol rearrangement mode tables when a linked progressive jackpot is won in the mystery lottery. FIG. 18A is a table selected when the progressive order is 1 sT, and 10KIND jackpot symbols can be rearranged in three types of rearrangement modes 0-2. Specifically, weights 1, 1, and 1 are set corresponding to the rearrangement modes 0, 1, and 2, respectively, and each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 is placed in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150). Specifies the probability of appearance.

  FIG. 18B is a table selected when the progressive order is 2nD, and 9KIND jackpot symbols can be rearranged in three types of rearrangement modes 0-2. Specifically, weights 1, 1, and 1 are set corresponding to the rearrangement modes 0, 1, and 2, respectively, and each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 is placed in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150). Specifies the probability of appearance.

  FIG. 18C is a table selected when the progressive order is 3rD, and 8KIND jackpot symbols can be rearranged in three types of rearrangement modes 0-2. Specifically, weights 1, 1, and 1 are set corresponding to the rearrangement modes 0, 1, and 2, respectively, and each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 is placed in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150). Specifies the probability of appearance.

  FIG. 18D is a table selected when the progressive order is 4tT, and 7KIND jackpot symbols can be rearranged in three types of rearrangement modes 0-2. Specifically, weights 1, 1, and 1 are set corresponding to the rearrangement modes 0, 1, and 2, respectively, and each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 is placed in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150). Specifies the probability of appearance.

  FIG. 18E is a table selected when the progressive order is 5 tT, and a 6KIND jackpot symbol can be rearranged in three types of rearrangement modes 0 to 2. Specifically, weights 1, 1, and 1 are set corresponding to the rearrangement modes 0, 1, and 2, respectively, and each symbol of the reels 101 to 105 is placed in the middle of the symbol matrix (the middle of the display window 150). Specifies the probability of appearance.

  As a result, in the mystery lottery, when one of the progressive ranks 1sT, 2nD, 3rD, 4tT, and 5tT is won, the jackpot symbol rearrangement mode corresponding to the progressive ranks 1sT, 2nD, 3rD, 4tT, and 5tT The table is referred to, and the rearrangement mode of the jackpot symbols is determined by lottery using weights. Then, a predetermined KIND number of jackpot symbols are rearranged on the reels 101 to 105 in the determined rearrangement mode.

  As described above, the gaming machine 10 has a rearrangement mode table having a plurality of jackpot symbol rearrangement modes for each type of the linked progressive jackpot, and the linked progressive jackpot is established in the mystery lottery. Sometimes, the rearrangement mode corresponding to the type of the linked progressive jackpot is selected from a plurality of rearrangement modes. As a result, even if linked progressive jackpots of the same type (progressive rank) are established, the jackpot symbols are rearranged in a rearrangement manner that is randomized from a plurality of rearrangement modes. can do.

(Game state transition)
FIG. 19 is a view illustrating state transitions in the gaming machine 10. Specifically, it is a diagram illustrating a transition between a normal game mode, a free game mode, and a mystery lottery. The normal game mode corresponds to a game state during a normal game, and the free game mode corresponds to a game state during a chance game.

  The gaming machine 10 has two types of game modes including a normal game mode and a free game mode. In the gaming machine 10, the unit game is executed mainly in the normal game mode, and when the free game trigger (event) occurs in the normal game mode, the game machine 10 shifts to the free game mode. The probability that a linked progressive jackpot corresponding to a special payout is awarded in the normal game mode and the free game mode is controlled by the control unit so as to be higher during the free game, as described above. Is set to

  In the present embodiment, the trigger for the free game is a condition that a BONUS symbol appears in the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40. Of course, other conditions may be used for triggering the free game.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the normal game mode, the unit game is repeated until BONUS appears in the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40. In this normal game mode, when any of the winning patterns shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is established, a payout amount corresponding to the payout corresponding to the winning pattern is paid out.

  When a free game trigger occurs in the normal game mode, the mode shifts to the free game mode. The free game mode in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a game mode for executing one unit game. In principle, when one unit game is executed, the free game mode returns to the normal game mode.

  The free game mode is a game in which a unit game similar to the normal game mode is performed without consuming game media such as medals. As shown in FIG. 15, in each of the five reels 101 to 105 in the free game mode, NO. 2 JACKPOT and NO. 3 BLANK and NO. No. 4 JACKPOT is specified so that it is easy to win.

  When a retrigger occurs in the free game mode, one unit game in the free game mode is added. Therefore, the free game mode is maintained only when a retrigger occurs, and when the retrigger does not occur, the mystery lottery is always performed from the free game mode, and then the normal game mode is restored. In the present embodiment, a control that always executes a mystery lottery at the end of the free game mode, which is the chance game, is adopted, but this is not limiting, and the lottery itself may be generated randomly. However, the object of the present invention is to design a simple program design, connect gaming machines having different probability of winning a special payout in a symbol lottery at a connecting portion, Since the winning probability of the special payout is made the same in the second lottery that is not a lottery, it is preferable that the lottery is always configured for the probability design.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, at the time of shifting from the normal game mode to the free game mode, the number of unit games in the free game mode is only one, and depending on the result of the unit game in the normal game mode, etc. There is no change. Only when a retrigger occurs after actually entering the free game mode, one unit game is added. After the transition to the free game mode, it is determined whether or not a unit game is added.

(Program contents)
Next, a program executed by the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Main control process)
First, the main control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the main control process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The game mode in the main control process of FIG. 20 is the normal game mode.

  First, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, the main CPU 222 reads the authenticated game program and game system program from the memory card 210 via the game board 200 and writes them in the RAM 226 (step S2011).

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs an initialization process at the end of one game (step S2012). For example, unnecessary data is cleared for each game in the work area of the RAM 226, such as the number of BETs and symbols determined by lottery.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a coin insertion / start check process which will be described later with reference to FIG. 21 (step S2013). In this process, input of a BET button or a spin button is checked.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs symbol lottery processing which will be described later with reference to FIG. 22 (step S2014). In this process, the symbol to be stopped is determined based on the symbol determination random value, and when the free game trigger is established, the value of the BONUS symbol is further determined.

  Next, the effect control processing unit 312 executed by the main CPU 222 performs an effect content determination execution process which will be described later with reference to FIG. 23 (step S2015). The main CPU 222 extracts an effect random number, determines one of a plurality of predetermined effect contents by lottery, and executes the effect contents at the timing of the determined effect content. For example, a control video is displayed on the video display unit 110, a sound is output from the speaker 112, the lamp 114 is turned on, and an effect process is performed on these. In addition, when the free game trigger is established, and when the player selects a free game after that, further presentation processing is performed such as displaying an image on the video display unit 110. Details will be described later. .

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs symbol display control processing which will be described later with reference to FIG. 24 (step S2016). In this process, scrolling of the symbol column of each reel is started, and the stop scheduled symbol determined in the symbol lottery process in step S2014 is stopped at a predetermined position. Further, irradiation control of each reel is performed based on the value of the BONUS symbol determined in the symbol lottery process in step S2014.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a payout amount determination process which will be described later with reference to FIG. 25 (step S2017). In this process, in the base game, the number of payouts is determined based on a payout table (see FIGS. 15 and 16) according to the combination of symbols displayed on the payline, and the payout number memory provided in the RAM 226 is stored. It is stored in the area (payout number counter 321). When the free game trigger is established, the number of payouts is determined according to a rule different from that for the base game according to the combination of BONUS symbols.

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not a free game trigger has been established (step S2018). When the main CPU 222 determines that the free game trigger is established (for example, when the game mode is a free game, the main CPU 222 determines that the free game trigger is established), a description will be given later with reference to FIG. Free game mode processing is performed (step S2019).

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a payout process after the process of step S2019 or when it is determined in step S2018 that the free game trigger is not established (step S2020). The main CPU 222 adds the value (payout number counter 321) stored in the payout number storage area to the value (credit number counter 320) stored in the credit number storage area provided in the RAM 226. The driving of the hopper 242 may be controlled so that coins corresponding to the payout number counter 321 are discharged from the coin payout exit. Alternatively, the ticket printer 120 may be controlled to issue a ticket with a barcode on which the payout counter 321 is recorded. After this processing is performed, the mode flag, the BONUS symbol value storage area, and the like are cleared, and the process proceeds to step S2012.

(Coin insertion / start check process)
Next, a coin insertion / start check process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the coin-insertion / start-check process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, by the input / credit check processing unit 300 executed by the main CPU 222, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not coin insertion has been detected by the coin counter 232 (step S2141). When the main CPU 222 determines that the insertion of a coin has been detected, the main CPU 222 adds the value of the inserted coin to the value (credit number counter 320) stored in the credit number storage area (step S2142). In addition to coin insertion, it is determined whether bill insertion is detected by the bill validator 246. When it is determined that bill insertion has been detected, a value corresponding to the bill is added to the credit counter 320. You may make it do.

  The main CPU 222 determines whether or not the credit counter 320 is 0 after step S2142 or when it is determined in step S2141 that coin insertion has not been detected (step S2143). When determining that the credit counter 320 is not 0, the main CPU 222 permits the BET button operation acceptance (step S2144).

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not an operation of the BET button is detected (step S2145). When the main CPU 222 detects that the BET button has been pressed by the player using the BET switch, the main CPU 222 determines the value (BET number) stored in the BET number storage area provided in the RAM 226 based on the type of the BET button. Counter 325) is added, and credit number counter 320 is subtracted (step S2146).

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not the BET number counter 325 is maximum (step S2147). When the main CPU 222 determines that the BET number counter 325 is maximum, the main CPU 222 prohibits updating of the BET number counter 325 (step S2148). After determining that the BET number counter 325 is not the maximum after step S2148 or at step S2147, the main CPU 222 permits the spin button operation reception (step S2149).

  After determining that the BET button operation is not detected in step S2145 after step S2149, or the main CPU 222 determines that the credit number counter 320 is 0 in step S2143, the main CPU 222 detects the operation of the spin button. Whether or not (step S2150). When determining that the operation of the spin button has not been detected, the main CPU 222 proceeds to step S2141.

  When determining that the operation of the spin button has been detected, the main CPU 222 calculates the accumulated amount (step S2571). The main CPU 71 calculates the cumulative amount to the progressive amount by obtaining the product of the value stored in the BET number storage area and the preset cumulative ratio.

  Next, the main CPU 71 transmits the calculated accumulated amount to the external control device 190 (step S2572), and ends the coin insertion / start check process. When the external control device 190 receives the accumulated amount, the external control device 190 updates the progressive amount.

(Symbol lottery processing)
Next, the symbol lottery process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of symbol lottery processing for the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the random number generation processing unit 302 executed by the main CPU 222 extracts five random numbers for symbol determination (step S2211). Next, the symbol determination processing unit 304 executed by the main CPU 222 determines a symbol to be stopped for each reel by lottery from five random numbers (step S2212).

  In the processing of step S2212, when the game mode is the normal game mode, five symbols to be stopped are determined with reference to the symbol determination table for the normal game mode shown in FIG. When the game mode is the free game mode, five symbols to be stopped are determined with reference to the symbol determination table for the free game mode shown in FIG.

  That is, the main CPU 222 extracts five random numbers for symbol determination, and refers to the symbol determination table shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 for 22 symbols (codes) for each of the five reels 101 to 105. Any one of the numbers “NO.0” to “NO.21”) is determined as the symbol to be stopped.

  Appearance probabilities of 22 symbols (code numbers “NO.0” to “NO.21”) are determined by the weight of the symbol determination table shown in FIG. Therefore, depending on whether the game mode is the normal game mode or the free game mode, the appearance probabilities of 22 symbols (code numbers “NO.0” to “NO.21”) may be made different. it can.

By the process of step S2212, five symbols to be stopped corresponding to each of the five reels 101 to 105 are determined. Each of the five reels 101 to 105 is controlled to stop so that the determined five stop scheduled symbols stop at the middle stage of the symbol matrix (middle stage of the display window 150).

  Next, the main CPU 222 stores the determined to-be stopped symbols for each reel in the symbol storage area provided in the RAM 226 (step S2213). Next, the winning determination processing unit 310 executed by the main CPU 222 refers to the payout tables shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and determines a winning pattern based on the symbols stored in the symbol storage area (step S2214). . When the winning pattern is satisfied, the main CPU 222 determines a payout according to the number of Kinds.

(Production content determination execution process)
Next, with reference to FIG. 23, the effect content determination execution process will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the effect content determination execution process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This process defines the operation from the start of rotation to the stop of rotation of the five reels 101 to 105, and is a process for determining the effect by the operation of the five reels 101 to 105. Therefore, this effect content determination execution process is executed based on the result of the symbol lottery process in step S2014 of FIG.

  Specifically, first, five symbols to be stopped corresponding to each of the five reels 101 to 105 are determined by the symbol lottery process in step S2014 of FIG. Next, using the determined five scheduled stop symbols, the symbol determination table shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 is used to configure the scheduled stop symbols that are scheduled to be rearranged in the display window 150. A symbol matrix can be determined. In other words, all 15 scheduled stop symbols (scheduled symbol matrix) scheduled to be rearranged in the display window 150 can be determined from the five scheduled stop symbols.

  Note that a symbol matrix constituted by symbols that are actually stopped in all five reels 101 to 105 and rearranged in the display window 150 is simply referred to as a symbol matrix or a post-stop symbol matrix.

  In the present embodiment, since the symbols arranged on the five reels 101 to 105 are common in both the normal game mode and the free game mode, they are shown in either FIG. 14 or FIG. 15 regardless of the game mode. The stop scheduled symbol matrix may be determined with reference to the symbol determination table.

  By determining the scheduled stop symbol matrix, the number of JACKPOTs included in the scheduled stop symbol matrix and the arrangement pattern of JACKPOT can be acquired.

  First, the main CPU 222 determines a scheduled stop symbol matrix using the five scheduled stop symbols determined by the symbol lottery process in step S2014 of FIG. 20 (step S2311). The determined to-be-stopped symbol matrix is stored in the RAM 226. Specifically, the code numbers of 15 scheduled stop symbols constituting the scheduled stop symbol matrix are stored in the RAM 226.

  Next, the main CPU 222 acquires the number of JACKPOTs included in the scheduled stop symbol matrix as the Kind number (step S2313). Since JACKPOT is a scatter symbol, the number of JACKPOTs scheduled to appear in the display window 150 is acquired from the scheduled stop symbol matrix.

  Next, the main CPU 222 obtains an arrangement pattern of the JACKPOT scheduled to appear formed by the scheduled stop symbol matrix as a stop pattern (step S2315).

  Next, the main CPU 222 calls and executes the Kind number determination process shown in FIG. 27 to determine a sign effect table (step S2317). This process is a process of determining the sign effect table based on the number of Kinds acquired in the process of step S2313.

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines a sign effect by referring to the sign effect table selected in the process of step S2317 (step S2319). The indication effect is the operation of the five reels 101 to 105 from the start of rotation of the five reels 101 to 105 to the intermediate state in which at least one reel is stopped and the remaining reels are maintained in the rotation state. is there.

  In the sign effect table, a weight is defined for each of the plural kinds of sign effects. The process in step S2319 is a process of generating a random number, referring to the indication effect table using the generated random number value, and determining one indication effect among a plurality of types of indication effects. Therefore, even when the number of Kinds is the same, different indication effects can be performed, and various indication effects can be executed.

  In addition, the indication effect table is defined for each of the normal game mode and the free game mode. Different indication effects can be performed for each game mode.

  Thus, the sign effect from the start of reel rotation to the intermediate state can be determined by the number of JACKPOTs included in the scheduled stop symbol matrix and the arrangement pattern. By determining the indication effect, the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation time, and other rotation modes of the five reels 101 to 105 can be determined.

  Motor control parameters for controlling the motors for driving the five reels 101 to 105 are defined in advance and stored in the RAM 226 for each indication effect. When the indication effect is determined, the corresponding motor control parameter is read out, and the motor is controlled, so that the effect by the five reels 101 to 105 can be performed.

  Next, the main CPU 222 calls and executes a stop pattern determination process to determine a reach effect table (step S2321). This process is a process of determining the reach effect table based on the stop pattern acquired in the process of step S2315.

  Reach is generally a state in which a part of a plurality of reels is stopped and the remaining reels are rotating, and a part of the winning pattern is formed by the stopped reels. Whether or not the winning pattern is finally completed is determined by the symbols that appear when the rotating reel stops. That is, the reach can be defined as a winning pattern undecided state immediately before a state where a part of the winning pattern is formed but incomplete, and whether or not the winning pattern can be finally determined.

  Furthermore, the reach according to the present embodiment can be set not in a winning pattern unconfirmed state but in a dividend unconfirmed state in which a final payout has not been determined. Specifically, a part of the plurality of reels is stopped and the remaining reels are rotating, and a part of the winning pattern to be paid is formed by the stopped reels. Whether or not the payout is finally determined is determined by the symbols that appear when the spinning reel stops.

  Accordingly, the reach may be in a state where a dividend is awarded or in a state where no dividend is awarded. In the conventional reach, whether or not a payout is awarded has not yet been determined, but it may be determined that at least a part of the payout is awarded in the reach of the present embodiment. Even when a payout is awarded in the reach, the final payout is not determined, and the final payout is determined when all reels are stopped.

  For example, when the payout is determined according to the number of scatter symbols, five scatter symbols appear in the reach and the payout for five is determined. Further, when all reels stop and reach a final state, if eight scatter symbols appear by increasing three, a payout for eight is determined. On the other hand, if all of the reels are stopped and the number remains five without increasing, a payout for five is determined. In this way, even if the payout is determined at a time before the final state, it is possible to reach a state where the final payout cannot be determined. In this way, a first amount of profit (a normal payout or the like) can be given by reach, and a second amount of profit larger than the first amount can be given in the final state.

  Furthermore, in the reach, a normal payout may be determined, and a progressive amount may be determined by winning the jackpot in a final state. In other words, the first type of profit (ordinary payout or the like) can be given by reach, and the second type of profit (progressive amount by jackpot winning or the like) can be given in the final state.

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines a reach effect with reference to the reach effect table selected in the process of step S2321 (step S2323), and ends this subroutine. The reach production is an operation from an intermediate state in which at least one of the five reels 101 to 105 is stopped and the remaining reels are maintained in a rotating state until all the five reels 101 to 105 are stopped. It is.

  In the reach production table, a weight is defined for each of a plurality of types of reach production. The process of step S2323 is a process of generating a random number, referring to the reach effect table using the generated random value, and determining one reach effect among a plurality of types of reach effects. Therefore, even when the stop pattern is the same, different reach effects can be performed, and various reach effects can be executed.

  Further, the reach effect table is defined for each of the normal game mode and the free game mode. Different reach effects can be performed for each game mode.

  Thus, the reach effect from the intermediate state of the reel to the rotation stop can be determined by the number and arrangement pattern of the JACKPOT scheduled to appear formed by the symbol matrix to be stopped. Similarly to the indication effect, by determining the reach effect, the rotation direction, rotation speed, rotation time, and other rotation modes of the five reels 101 to 105 can be determined.

  Motor control parameters for controlling motors for driving the five reels 101 to 105 are defined in advance and stored in the RAM 226 for each reach effect. When the reach effect is determined, the corresponding motor control parameters are read and the motor is controlled, so that the effect by the five reels 101 to 105 can be performed.

(Symbol display control processing)
Next, the symbol display control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol display control processing of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the reel control processing unit 308 executed by the main CPU 222 rotates the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 according to the indication effect determined in the process of step S2319 in FIG. 23 (step S2411).

  Specifically, first, the reel control processing unit 308 transmits a rotation control signal to the reel assembly M11 according to the indication effect determined in the process of step S2319 in FIG. Next, the reel driver 264 of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 supplies power to the reel motor 272 to rotate the first to fifth reels 101 to 105. By this rotation control, the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 rotate at a predetermined speed, and the symbol columns attached to the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 are displayed on the display window of the symbol display unit 40. Scroll at 150.

  Next, the reel control processing unit 308 executed by the main CPU 222 is defined by the sign effect of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 according to the sign effect determined in the process of step S2319 in FIG. Some reels are stopped (step S2413).

  Specifically, the spin control signal includes information on the stop positions of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 obtained from the indication effect. The reel driver 264 of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 controls the reel motor 272 and is defined by the sign effect of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 at the position indicated by the spin control signal. Stop some reels.

  In this way, the reel motor 272 made of a stepping motor is stopped at a desired position for a part of the reels defined by the indication effect, and the stop scheduled symbol is located in the middle of the symbol matrix formed in the display window 150. Stop scrolling the symbol sequence as follows.

  Next, the reel control processing unit 308 executed by the main CPU 222 rotates the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 according to the reach effect determined in the process of step S2323 in FIG. 23 (step S2415).

  Specifically, first, the reel control processing unit 308 transmits a rotation control signal to the reel assembly M11 according to the reel effect determined in the process of step S2323 in FIG. Next, the reel driver 264 of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 feeds power to the reel motor 272 to rotate one of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 that has not been stopped. . By this rotation control, the reels in the rotating state among the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 rotate at a predetermined speed, and the symbol columns of those reels are scrolled by the display window 150 of the symbol display unit 40. .

  Next, the reel control processing unit 308 executed by the main CPU 222 stops the reel in the rotating state among the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 according to the reach effect determined in the process of step S2323 in FIG. (Step S2417).

  Specifically, the spin control signal includes information on the stop positions of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 obtained from the reach effect. The reel driver 264 of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 controls the reel motor 272 to stop the rotating reel among the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 at the position indicated by the spin control signal. Let

  As a result, all of the first to fifth reels 101 to 105 are stopped, and 15 symbols are rearranged in the display window 150 to form a symbol matrix.

(Payout number determination process)
Next, with reference to FIG. 25, the payout amount determination process will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the payout amount determination process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the main CPU 222 determines the number of payouts based on the payout satisfying the winning pattern, based on the symbol storage area and the payout table (FIGS. 15 and 16) (step S2511).

  For example, when four REDs 7 are continuously stopped and displayed from the left side along any one of the 30 paylines, the payout 100 is determined.

  The determined payout number is stored in the payout number counter 321 of the payout number storage area (step S2513).

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S2515).

  When the main CPU 222 determines that the jackpot is not won, it immediately ends this subroutine.

  When determining that the jackpot is won, the main CPU 222 notifies the external control device 190 that the jackpot has been won (step S2517). When receiving the notification, the external control device 190 transmits the progressive amount updated so far to the gaming machine 10.

  At this time, a part of the progressive amount (for example, 80%) may be paid out, and the remaining amount (for example, 20%) may be carried over in preparation for the next jackpot trigger establishment.

  Next, the main CPU 222 receives the progressive amount from the external control device 190 (step S2519). Next, the main CPU 222 further stores the received progressive amount in the payout amount storage area (step S2521). When this process is performed, the payout number determination process is terminated.

  In this way, when the jackpot is won, in addition to paying out the normal payout, the progressive amount is also paid out.

  In the above example, the progressive amount is stored in the external control device 190. However, the progressive amount may be stored independently for each gaming machine 10 as a so-called stand-alone jackpot.

(Free game mode processing)
First, the free game mode process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the free game mode process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the main CPU 222 performs an initialization process at the end of one game (step S2611). For example, unnecessary data is cleared for each game in the work area of the RAM 226, such as symbols determined by lottery.

  Note that the number of BETs in the free game mode is that in the normal game mode immediately before the transition to the free game mode.

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not a spin button operation is detected (step S <b> 2613).

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a symbol lottery process described with reference to FIG. 22 (step S2615). In this process, the symbol to be stopped is determined based on the random number for symbol determination. In the process of step S2615, the symbol to be stopped is determined using the symbol determination table in which the weight in the free game mode shown in FIG. 15 is defined.

  Next, the effect control processing unit 312 executed by the main CPU 222 performs an effect content determination execution process (step S2617). This process is the same as step S2015 in FIG.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a symbol display control process shown in FIG. 24 (step S2619). This process is the same as step S2016 in FIG.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a payout amount determination process described with reference to FIG. 25 (step S2621). This process is the same as step S2017 in FIG.

  Next, the main CPU 222 performs a payout process (step S2623). The main CPU 222 adds the value (payout number counter 321) stored in the payout number storage area to the value (credit number counter 320) stored in the credit number storage area provided in the RAM 226. The driving of the hopper 242 may be controlled so that coins corresponding to the payout number counter 321 are discharged from the coin payout exit. Alternatively, the ticket printer 120 may be controlled to issue a ticket with a barcode on which the payout counter 321 is recorded.

  Next, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not retrigger has been established (step S2625). In the present embodiment, the retrigger is established when the BONUS symbol of the reel M3c appears in the display window 150.

  When determining that the retrigger has been established, the main CPU 222 returns the process to step S2611. On the other hand, when determining that the retrigger is not established, the main CPU 222 ends the present subroutine.

  Thus, when retrigger is established, the free game mode can be maintained, and one unit game in the free game mode is added. If the retrigger is not established, the mystery lottery process is executed (step S2626), and then the free game mode returns to the normal game mode.

(Kind number judgment processing)
Next, the Kind number determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the Kind number determination process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is a process of determining the number of JACKPOTs included in the scheduled stop symbol matrix constituted by the scheduled stop symbols in which all the five reels 101 to 105 are stopped and rearranged.

  First, the main CPU 222 determines whether or not JACKPOT is 10 Kind (step S2711). As described above, since JACKPOT is a scatter symbol, the determination process in step S2711 is a process of determining whether 10 JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 10 Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to I (step S2713), and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 10 Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 9 Kind (step S2715). That is, it is determined whether nine JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 9Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to II (step S2717) and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 9Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 8Kind (step S2719). That is, it is determined whether eight JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 8Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to III (step S2721), and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 8Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 7Kind (step S2723). That is, it is determined whether seven JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 7Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to IV (step S2725), and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 7Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 6Kind (step S2727). That is, it is determined whether six JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 6Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to V (step S2729) and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 6Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 5Kind (step S2731). That is, it is determined whether five JACKPOTs have appeared in the display window 150 or not.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 5Kind, the main CPU 222 sets VI as the first identifier (step S2733), and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 5Kind, the main CPU 222 determines whether JACKPOT is 4Kind (step S2735). That is, it is determined whether or not four JACKPOTs appear in the display window 150.

  When determining that JACKPOT is 4Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to VII (step S2737) and ends this subroutine.

  When determining that JACKPOT is not 4Kind, the main CPU 222 sets the first identifier to VIII (step S2739) and ends this subroutine.

(Mystery lottery processing)
The free game mode process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the mystery lottery process of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the main CPU 222 performs a mystery lottery with reference to the mystery lottery table of FIG. 17 (step S2811). If the mystery is not won (step S2812: NO), this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the mystery is won (step S2812: YES), the mystery winning process is performed with reference to the jackpot symbol rearrangement mode tables of FIGS. 18A to 18E (step S2813), and then this routine is terminated.

  The mystery winning process will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 17, for example, when the progressive ranking is 1sT, the number of jackpot symbol rearrangements is 10KIND. A table is referenced. Then, any rearrangement mode 0-2 is determined by lottery based on the weight, and the jackpot symbols are rearranged in the determined rearrangement mode 0-2. For example, when the progressive ranking is 2nD mystery winning, the rearrangement mode table of FIG. 18B is referred to because the rearrangement number of jackpot symbols is 9KIND. Then, any rearrangement mode 0-2 is determined by lottery based on the weight, and the jackpot symbols are rearranged in the determined rearrangement mode 0-2.

  In the mystery winning process, an effect of notifying the mystery winning is performed on the upper image display panel 131 of FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 29, after the free game mode process (chance game) is completed, as shown in FIG. 30, a message notifying that the mystery has been won is displayed, and that the mystery has been won by voice. Is output. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 31, the same effect processing as that of the chance game is performed.

  When the effect in the mystery winning process is specifically described, as shown in FIG. 32A, the upper image display panel 131 displays that the mystery lottery has been won. As shown in FIG. 32B, the countdown starts 3 seconds ago, and as shown in FIG. 32C, “GO” is displayed at the time when it becomes 0, and the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 rotate. Is started.

  As shown in FIGS. 32D and 32E, the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 continue to rotate while the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 are produced with different lighting and colors from the base game and the chance game. Then, as shown in FIG. 32F, symbol rearrangement is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 32G, when the number of jackpot symbol rearrangements is 9, the number of jackpot rearrangements and the earned amount are displayed on the upper image display panel 131 and then shown in FIG. 32H. As shown, the number of earned credits is displayed.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 32I, a win signboard is displayed, the rearrangement mode of the jackpot is displayed, and the number of earned credits is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 32J, after the door is closed, as shown in FIG. 32K, a total win signboard is displayed, and a state where a large amount of coins etc. pours on the background screen is displayed while the credit is counted up. The

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples are illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  Further, in the above detailed description, the characteristic portions have been mainly described so that the present invention can be easily understood. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, but can be applied to other embodiments, and the scope of application is various. The terms and terminology used in the present specification are used to accurately describe the present invention, and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it would be easy for those skilled in the art to infer other configurations, systems, methods, and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in this specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims should be regarded as including an equivalent configuration without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. The purpose of the abstract is to simplify the technical contents and essence of this application by patent offices and general public institutions, and engineers belonging to this technical field who are not familiar with patents, legal terms or technical terms. It is intended to be able to make a quick determination through a simple survey. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be evaluated by the claims. Moreover, in order to fully understand the object of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention, it is desired that the interpretation should be made with sufficient consideration of the literatures already disclosed.

  The above detailed description includes processing executed by a computer. The above explanations and expressions are given for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the most efficiently. In this specification, each process used to derive one result should be understood as a process without self-contradiction. In each process, transmission / reception, recording, and the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. In the processing in each processing, such a signal is expressed by bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc., but these are used only for convenience of explanation. There is a need. In addition, the processes in each process may be described in expressions common to human actions, but the processes described in this specification are executed by various devices in principle. Further, other configurations required for performing each processing are obvious from the above description.

(Other inventions latent in this embodiment)
The present embodiment described above includes the following another invention.
That is, a plurality of gaming machines each including a symbol display device that displays a game result by rearranging a plurality of symbols after the variable display,
A connection to which the gaming machine is connected;
A storage unit storing a special payout that is a common payout that can be obtained by the plurality of gaming machines;
When the game result executed on the plurality of gaming machines is a result of giving the special payout, the display mode for giving the special payout (the same display in which N jackpot symbols are rearranged) And a control unit that executes a process for giving the special payout, and a game system including a plurality of gaming machines,
The first control unit of the first gaming machine among the plurality of gaming machines,
Relocating the plurality of symbols at the stop position determined by symbol lottery, and executing the probability that the special payout is awarded with the rearranged game result with a first probability,
When the rearranged game result is a result that triggers to change the game mode (executed by the rearrangement of the bonus symbols existing on the third reel 103), the game mode is changed to Change, execute a second lottery (different from the symbol lottery), execute a lottery with the second lottery resulting in the game result giving the special payout with a second probability,
A second control unit of a second gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines,
Re-arranging the plurality of symbols at the stop position determined by symbol lottery, and executing the probability that the special payout is awarded with the rearranged game result with a third probability,
When the rearranged game result is a result that triggers to change the game mode (executed by the rearrangement of the bonus symbols existing on the third reel 103), the game mode is changed to Change, execute a second lottery (different from the symbol lottery), execute a lottery with the result of the second lottery being the game result to give the special payout with a fourth probability,
The combined probability of the first and second probabilities executed by the first control unit is set to be the same as the combined probability of the third and fourth probabilities executed by the second control unit. A game system composed of a plurality of gaming machines.
The following invention is also latent:
A plurality of gaming machines each having a symbol display device for displaying a game result by rearranging a plurality of symbols after the variable display;
A connection to which the gaming machine is connected;
A storage unit storing a special payout that is a common payout that can be obtained by the plurality of gaming machines;
When the game result executed on the plurality of gaming machines is a result of giving the special payout, the display mode for giving the special payout (the same display in which N jackpot symbols are rearranged) And a control unit that executes a process for giving the special payout, and a game system including a plurality of gaming machines,
The control unit of the gaming machine among the plurality of gaming machines,
Relocating the plurality of symbols at the stop position determined by symbol lottery, and executing the probability that the special payout is awarded with the first symbol lottery probability based on the rearranged game result;
When the rearranged game result is a result that triggers to change the game mode (executed by the rearrangement of the bonus symbols existing on the third reel 103), the game mode is changed to Change, execute a second lottery (different from the symbol lottery), execute a lottery with the game result in which the result of the second lottery gives the special payout, with a predetermined probability,
Other control units of other gaming machines different from the gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines,
Re-arranging the plurality of symbols at the stop position determined by symbol lottery, and executing the probability that the special payout will be awarded with the second symbol lottery probability in the rearranged game result;
The combined probability of the first symbol lottery probability executed by the control unit and the predetermined probability is set to be the same as the second symbol lottery probability executed by the other control unit. A game system consisting of multiple gaming machines.

A1 First gaming machine A11 Control unit A12 Symbol display device A13 Input device A2 Second gaming machine A21 Control unit A22 Symbol display device A23 Input device A3 Third gaming machine A31 Control unit A32 Symbol display device A33 Input device A4 Server A41 Connection unit A43 Calculation unit A44 Storage unit A5 Display unit

Claims (6)

A connection part to which a plurality of gaming machines are connected;
A storage unit storing a special payout that is a common payout that can be obtained by the plurality of gaming machines;
A gaming system comprising a server having
The plurality of gaming machines are:
A symbol display device for displaying a game result by rearranging a plurality of symbols after the variable display;
A control unit that executes the following processing,
(A) A process of determining the plurality of symbols to be rearranged on the symbol display device by symbol lottery with different symbol lottery probabilities depending on respective gaming machines;
(B) a process of giving a special payout based on the symbols rearranged by the symbol lottery;
(C) A process of giving the special payout by a second lottery in which a lottery is performed with a predetermined probability different from the symbol lottery in the process (A). The gaming system according to claim 1,
The gaming machine has an input device that accepts a bet operation to output a bet amount for playing a game,
The server includes a calculation unit that receives a bet amount from the plurality of gaming machines and calculates the special payout based on the bet amount;
And a display device for displaying the special payout calculated by the calculation unit. The gaming system according to claim 1 or 2,
The controller is
A process of rearranging the plurality of symbols on the symbol display device in a display mode corresponding to the special payout determined in the process of (C);
It is characterized by including. A gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
A gaming machine having another control unit for determining and giving the special payout by symbol lottery is further connected to the connection unit. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of each bet in the gaming machine connected to the connection unit is collected at the same rate, and cumulatively stored as accumulated storage data. It has a storage unit,
The storage unit provides the special payout based on cumulative storage data of the storage unit. A gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The controller is
(D) According to a result of the symbol lottery, a high-probability game for winning the special payout with a high probability is executed, and thereafter, the second lottery is performed.

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